I have a '96 MIM Strat that I picked up cheap, and was thinking of replacing the pickups. It's in excellent shape, no fretwear, but the pickups sound muddy, unless it's just me or my amp. I have a VOX PAthfinder 15 R amp. It is the HSS model, with a Humbucker at the bridge. The POT's are 500k, I looked. Check out the picture, are these the original MIM pickups? They look kinda funky on the bottom with the extra magnets on the side of the poles.
I've been looking at the GFS pickups on Guitarfetish.com, and noticed there are some Strat pickups with the poles Staggered (poles are higher on the D,G,B string positions). I have some $ from ebay sales and may use it on a custom wired pickguard with either the Premium Alnico Staggers, Premium Alnico overwound staggers, or maybe the
The pickups on the basic pre-wired pickguards can't be good if the whole assembly is just $30-$38.
I like everything from classic rock to modern rock.
Also, they pair up the middle pickup that is reverse wound, and claim to get a humbucker noiseless sound with bridge/mid, neck/mid.
What's the sound difference between Staggered and Unstaggered pickups?
I kinda like the humbucker at the bridge, gives a nice heavier sound. What would I miss If I get just SSS pickups?
